Jacob n



i No 555,750.

J. N M clNTIR E. CUE TRIMMER.

Patented Mar. 3, 1896.

(No Model.)

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JACOB N. MCINTIRE, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO THE BRUNSIVICK- BALKE-COLLENDER COMPANY, OF SAME PLACE.

CUE-TRIMMER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N0. 555,730, dated March 3, 1896. Application filed January 9, 1896. Serial No. 574,860. (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, JACOB N. MOINTIRE, a citizen of the United States, residing at New York, in the county of New York and State of New York, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Cue-Trimmers, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification.

My invention relates to that type of cuetrimmers which comprises as its essential elements a handle-like holder, within which the one is placed and turned, and a stationary knife arranged transversely of the holder, at one end of the latter, and that operates to shave off or trim the end of the cue pressed up against it This type of trimmer has heretofore been made and used in two formsc'. 6., that in which the handle-like holder has a central bore large enough for the acccommodation of the largest sized cue, as seen, for instance, in United States Patent No. 546,121, and that in which the said holder is formed with a laterally-open recess, within which the one is held seated by the hand, which grasps the holder, as shown, for instance, in United States Patent No. 551,195. In practice both ofv these forms of this type of cue-trimmer have been found to embody defects the objectionable feature of the first-named being that in using the instrument or cutter with the smaller sizes of one it is impossible to keep comfortable to the operator to securely hold volves considerable expense in its manufac- 5o ture, and in use the laterally-projecting knife end is objectionable.

I propose to provide for use a cue-trimmer of the type alluded to of a novel construction, such that while simple, durable and economic 5 5 of manufacture it is more efficient and desirable in practical operation than any of the devices heretofore devised for the same purpose.

To this main end and object my invention consists in a cue-trimmer of the type alluded to, in which the handle-like hold er having a central bore equal in diameter to the diameter of the largest-sized one and provided with the usual stationary knife has combined with it a presser-bar or gripping device which, being forced inwardly by the hand clasping the holder, operates to securely hold seated in the proper position cues of all sizes and thus insure the perfect trimming of the smallest- 7o sized cues without the slightest discomfort to the hand of the operator, all as will be hereinafter more fully explained and as will be found most particularly pointed out in the claim of this specification. 7 5

To enable those skilled in the art to which my invention relates to fully understand and practice the same I will now proceed to more fully explain my improved construction of cue-trimmer,referring by letters to the accom- 8o panying drawings, which form part of this specification and in which I have shown my ininvention carried into effect in that precise form of cutter in which I have so far practiced said invention. 8 5

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a side view of a cue-trimmer made according to my invention, withthe cue-gripping lever or presser device in that condition in which it is when operating on the largest-sized cue. Fig. 2 is a side View of the same viewed from a different point. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal central section of the trimmer with a cue of the smallest size in place and the presser device in the proper position to hold the one in place and yet permit its rotation against the knife. Fig. 4 is a cross-section at a plane indicated by the line at w of Fig. 3.

In the several figures the same part will be found always designated by the same letter of reference.

A is the handle-like holder.

B is the knife or cutter, and C is the presser device.

The holder A is made preferably of about the pattern show-n, so that it can be firmly grasped by the hand of the operator; and the device C is preferably pivoted in the lower end portion of A, as shown, is almost as thick as the diameter of the bore of the holder, and has its outer surface patterned or shaped so that when said device is completely closed in its outer surface conforms substantially to the contour or external design of the handle A.

I11 cross-sectional configuration the presserlever C has its inner face near its lower end curved to correspond to the circle of the bore of the handle, but has this inner face at the upper portion V-shaped. This V-shaped surface is best adapted to hold the cue securely in place laterally while permitting it to turn round, and induces to a perfect operation of the trimmer when using it 011 the smallest sizes of cues,while the circularly-curved lower portion of the inner face of 0 looks best, as when closed in the presser-lever is apparently a continuation or part of the centrally'bored handle A.

In operation or use the one (of any size) to be trimmed is inserted within the bore of the holder A, and if the one be of the smallest size the presser-lever C will be only slightly forced outwardly at its upper end, so that when the operator grasps the handle his fingers will press against the outer surface of said presser and operate to force it inwardly and cause it to press hard (at the vicinity of its V-shaped inner surface) on the periphery of the cue, and these hold the one in place laterally and relatively to the cutter B. Then, by turning the cue, (relatively to the handle,) as usual in this type of trimmer, the knife will perfectly shave off or trim the end of the stick. If the inserted one be of a larger size, diametrically, the presser device 0 will be forced farther out, but will still occupy a position such that in grasping the handle the fingers of the operator can conveniently press said device inwardly against the cue. At Fig. 1 this lever C is shown in its outermost position, as when operating on a one which nearly fills the bore of the holder A, while at Figs. 3 and 4 said lever is in its innermost position, as the one a seen in these two figures held seated by the presser device is of the smallest size.

In using my improved trimmer it will be found best to always grasp the holder in the left hand, with the ends of the fingers pressing inwardly the device 0, and, holding the device stationary, turn the inserted one with the right hand.

Having so fully explained the construction and operation of my improved device that those skilled in the art can easily make and properly use the same, and wishing it to be understood that, since the pith of my invention rests in the idea of the use, in connection with the eentrally-apertured handle having a lateral opening or slot and the usual stationary knife, of a movable presser device arranged in said opening of the holder and adapted to be forced inwardly against the inserted cue to hold it laterally while permitting it to turn, it is not important that the precise form of presser device shown he used, or that said device be pivotally connected with the holder A.

IVhat I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

In a cue-trimmer of that type, comprising a centrally-bored, handle-like holder; and a stationary transverse knife, or cutter, the combination with the holder, having a lateral opening, or slot, extending outwardly from the bore, of a presser device, arranged within said opening, or slot, and operating to press and hold the inserted cue laterally in place when the holder is grasped within the hand of the operator; all substantially as, and for the purpose set forth.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 2d day of January, 1896.

J. N. MCINTIRE. Inv presence of- JAS. J. BYRNEs, EDWARD F. Bevan. 

